The strengths in the military community are often overshadowed by the real and present dangers to veterans health. And while the health problems that we address scientifically are an important part of the veteran story, they are not the full story.

Anyone who has interacted closely with veterans and military families knows that the community has special bonds, humor, kindness, wisdom, perspective, citizenship and resilience.

There is tremendous untapped motivation in the veteran community to engage, mentor, and protect fellow vets and to serve the public. There is also an appetite in the civilian community to support and engage with military service members beyond passive acknowledgment and gratitude.

Heart and Armor aims to highlight these chapters of the veteran story through outreach, peer support, integration programs and continuing service.

Our programs include:

• Veteran-led community service

• Memorial Day commemoration

• Mental Health destigmatization

• Honoring legendary veterans

• Partnering with VA to support and engage student veterans

• Capturing and disseminating advice and wisdom from established veterans

• Military art projects

• Veteran film screenings

• Veteran-organized group exercise events